Ok, I'm stuck in an spiritual bog.

[Ailyn]

So I've finally come to the conclusion I'm stuck. I feel like I'm mired in a puddle of metaphysical tar. I have no idea where to go from now, what to do, how to do it. I keep checking the CoT classes, looking for one to take, but all that seems to be in there is Wiccan stuff. Nothing against Wicca, I just don't practice it or intend to. All the groups that I've found in my area are either Wiccan/Wiccan-esque, completely dysfunctional, or full of people like me (like our on-campus Pagan group). I'm not really looking for a teacher, more of a mentor, someone to give my guidance and set up a path of study and keep me on that path. I keep researching, but have trouble applying that to my practices. I just feel like I have all these bits of info and can't get them worked into a cohesive unit. Money's tight, so my book/tool/whatever spending is nigh nonexistent. So anybody interested in helping me out, or know of a someone who is?

I'm interested in Celtic Recon (or adaptation thereof), focusing on Ireland and the British Isles. Witchcraft as a practice, not a religious system. Eastern ideas of Dharma and Karma (more as supporting elements, not really wanting to become Buddhist or Hindu). Herblore (homeopathy, natural healing, magical properties), Reiki, Rune lore, tarot, meditation (lucid dreaming, "spirit journeys" [like Irish bards did, or so I've read]), and energy work. So if anyone can help me with one or any or all of these things, or knows of where I can go for that help, I would greatly appreciate it. Again, money's tight, so if you know of any free resources, that'd be great. And I'm trying to keep everything out of the Wiccan framework as possible, sorry. Thanks!

Definitely not a new pagan, but this seemed the best place to stick this to beg for help.

[Shawn Cameron]

I might not be the best person to give any kind of guidance as I tend to get bogged down much like you are now, however if you are lacking in responses for help I will do my best with what I can, I find that I find my own way most easily when trying to help someone else.

That being said I identify myself and a Northern Tradition Shamanic Practitioner, or something like that. Basically I work with the northern/Norse gods in a Shaman like way. I am very much into the religion of it where as magic is just a tool to help in tough times or a focus to get what I need. So devotional practices and Gods/Spirit communion is my primary focus.

Other then that I would say pick one or two things to use as a foundation… I find when I get bogged down or lost its easiest to start from the bottom and work my way up again no mater how much knowledge or experience I already have. So separate what his the foundation of what you want and what just adds to it if that makes sense.

[OneGreyOwl]

Originally Posted by Ailyn

So I've finally come to the conclusion I'm stuck. I feel like I'm mired in a puddle of metaphysical tar. I have no idea where to go from now, what to do, how to do it.

Definitely not a new pagan, but this seemed the best place to stick this to beg for help.

I'm assuming from your post you have not found patron deities to relate to directly? One of the things that helped me the most was finding my patrons, when I had that relationship things started moving forward again. In terms of how to find them, it took patience and a lot of meditating and requesting the universe please help.

I realize money is tight but if you could get a couple of bucks together, try a book called "Evolutionary Witchcraft" by T. Thorn Coyle. It's not traditional wicca. She comes from Feri, but she is not traditional Feri, either. It's more about personal growth and provides some very useful exercises and meditations that enable you to embrace your own power/psyche/god/self.

Here's her site. She's a neat person:

http://www.thorncoyle.com/evolutionary_witchcraft.html

[Simply Puzzled]

Originally Posted by Ailyn

I'm interested in Celtic Recon (or adaptation thereof), focusing on Ireland and the British Isles. Witchcraft as a practice, not a religious system. Eastern ideas of Dharma and Karma (more as supporting elements, not really wanting to become Buddhist or Hindu). Herblore (homeopathy, natural healing, magical properties), Reiki, Rune lore, tarot, meditation (lucid dreaming, "spirit journeys" [like Irish bards did, or so I've read]), and energy work. So if anyone can help me with one or any or all of these things, or knows of where I can go for that help, I would greatly appreciate it. Again, money's tight, so if you know of any free resources, that'd be great. And I'm trying to keep everything out of the Wiccan framework as possible, sorry. Thanks!

That's such an impressive list. Any one of those could be the work of a lifetime.

I was just over in the Advanced Paganism section discussing T'ai Chi with someone, and so my brain is a little stuck in that mode. T'ai Chi is centered around a form. This is the practice. Masters who have been practicing the form every day for 40 years still approach it every day with fresh eyes, and every day they uncover a new gem that had been hiding.

Sometimes, people new to martial arts are so convinced though that a secret technique is waiting around the corner that they never get to discover those gems. They constantly bounce from instructor to instructor, hoping to find the "ultimate" martial art that all they are left with in the end is a collection of basic techniques that, while devastating when done by a master, couldn't do much to anybody. They never learn the true secret of martial arts, which is that there really aren't any secrets, just lots and lots of training (with a few "tricks" every now and again).

Perhaps, just for a time, try setting down the books. Rather than continually expanding your knowledge, lets take some time to dig a little bit deeper. You say you have trouble applying your knowledge. I can't imagine more knowledge is the solution to your problem. It's like pounding a bent nail hoping it will eventually go in. So find a book you have already read and really liked, and start going through some of the 101 exercises again. Approach them like a T'ai Chi master. Look for the hidden gems.

Go sit outside for a while. Carve a rune and let it speak to you. Take long naps in the late morning and write your dreams in journal. Set-up an altar and maintain it. Pray. Whatever you do, do it and do it mindfully.

This is something that's really hard for me, but I always find it beneficial to go back to the basics. Eventually, you'll start to hit a rut again. Maybe you've been working with your cards until you feel like you know them inside and out so you pick up a book, and, don't you know it, that reader's insights start a whole new avalanche in your mind. Maybe you've been spending a lot of time outdoors trying to feel the spirits of the land and you decide it would be a good time to read Irish fairy tales. The point is to let your studies by guided by your practice for a bit.

Good luck on your journey. Now, I think I'm going to go take some of my own advice and just listen for a while.

Blessings,

CJ

[augentier]

I understand where you're coming from, Ailyn. Sometimes I feel the same way but for me it's more lazyness than not knowing what to do

If you want to get started in witchcraft as a practice and energy work (the same thing in my opinion) is to first get familiar with your own energy.

Do this by learning to center and ground. There are simple ways to do this and I bet you can find them on this forum. Anyone can learn to center and ground. You may do it already without knowing it. It is an integral part o things like meditation, yoga, and just calming down.

It is all about focus. Don't worry if your mind wanders. I have ADD to the max and am a total daydreamer, if you are like that too then just let the thoughts pass when you are trying to focus. Don't focus on the thought, just let it pass and return to just being aware of yourself and the energy that vibrates and radiates within and from you.

After you learn to center and ground, you can begin to learn how to visualize and manipulate energy. I'm sure you either already know or will learn about visualization..it IS magick..what you visualize becomes the energy that creates your results. From there, the manipulation part is where you know how to bend energy to your will..this takes practice, something I have yet to master (far from it!) but this will get you started.

Becoming familiar with your own energy will help you recognize other energies as time passes. As you recognize energy better you will inevitably become more aware...aware of intentions - yours and others', more sensitive, empathetic and more powerful because of the ways you will learn to influence and block it =)

Message me if you have any questions! I'm a young learner, too..and interested in many of the same things.

[Ailyn]

Thanks all! CJ, I like the whole "reconnect with nature" thing, that is definitely something that works for me. Tho it is pretty cold out, so I might have to chill with my potted plants! Lol! Augentier, I do know how to center and ground, and do do that, but thats really about the extent of my energy work. I practiced yoga for awhile, but got lazy :gasp!: and gave up. I'm really trying to get back into it! Yay, study-buddy! Lol!

[Xander67]

Originally Posted by augentier

I understand where you're coming from, Ailyn. Sometimes I feel the same way but for me it's more lazyness than not knowing what to do

If you want to get started in witchcraft as a practice and energy work (the same thing in my opinion) is to first get familiar with your own energy.

Do this by learning to center and ground. There are simple ways to do this and I bet you can find them on this forum. Anyone can learn to center and ground. You may do it already without knowing it. It is an integral part o things like meditation, yoga, and just calming down.

It is all about focus. Don't worry if your mind wanders. I have ADD to the max and am a total daydreamer, if you are like that too then just let the thoughts pass when you are trying to focus. Don't focus on the thought, just let it pass and return to just being aware of yourself and the energy that vibrates and radiates within and from you.

After you learn to center and ground, you can begin to learn how to visualize and manipulate energy. I'm sure you either already know or will learn about visualization..it IS magick..what you visualize becomes the energy that creates your results. From there, the manipulation part is where you know how to bend energy to your will..this takes practice, something I have yet to master (far from it!) but this will get you started.

Becoming familiar with your own energy will help you recognize other energies as time passes. As you recognize energy better you will inevitably become more aware...aware of intentions - yours and others', more sensitive, empathetic and more powerful because of the ways you will learn to influence and block it =)

Message me if you have any questions! I'm a young learner, too..and interested in many of the same things.

THIS!!

I think self mastery is the first step. "Know Thyself" is what is written on the oracle at delphi.

I am at a point in my life too where I am learning the basics from the original texts. I will worry about patron dieties afterwards. Especially know that quantum physics is shedding light on how things work that we previously believed to be unknowable..

[kaosxmage]

Originally Posted by Ailyn

I'm interested in Celtic Recon (or adaptation thereof), focusing on Ireland and the British Isles. Witchcraft as a practice, not a religious system. Eastern ideas of Dharma and Karma (more as supporting elements, not really wanting to become Buddhist or Hindu). Herblore (homeopathy, natural healing, magical properties), Reiki, Rune lore, tarot, meditation (lucid dreaming, "spirit journeys" [like Irish bards did, or so I've read]), and energy work. So if anyone can help me with one or any or all of these things, or knows of where I can go for that help, I would greatly appreciate it. Again, money's tight, so if you know of any free resources, that'd be great. And I'm trying to keep everything out of the Wiccan framework as possible, sorry. Thanks!

Definitely not a new pagan, but this seemed the best place to stick this to beg for help.

This should help get you started on rune lore:

http://runesecrets.com/ - looks at runes mostly through the lens of personal experience and experimentation.

http://www.tarahill.com/runes/index.html - the runic journey

They're both free sources of information, and you'll find it to be helpful.

Concerning your financial issue, you can always shop for used books on amazon. I find a lot of great texts at very low prices that way. There must be a library around you somewhere. Buy some cheap notebooks, a pack of pens, and spend a couple afternoons perusing the shelves.

--Kaos

[Ailyn]

Originally Posted by kaosxmage

There must be a library around you somewhere.

Lol, I live at the libraries. Its just that so many of the books people recommend, either my county library or school library can't get because its not in their system. But I can totally do used books on Amazon. Thanks!